N.S. budget ‘overlooks’ low rental vacancy rate: critics say

WATCH: The Nova Scotia government has announced a ‘series of investments’ for improving access to affordable housing throughout the province but opposition critics and frontline housing staff, say a missing piece is building more affordable housing units and addressing the record low rental vacancy rate. Alexa MacLean reports.

The new provincial budget includes a series of investments aimed at addressing widespread issues around affordable housing and homelessness.

From rental supplements, to the single largest increase to the Child Benefit since it was created – provincial housing minister, Chuck Porter, says millions are being invested into helping those in need of stable housing.

While the hiring of 27 new housing support workers is welcome news for those on the front-line of a housing climate that’s been described as a crisis, some wonder why more than 39 new affordable units aren’t being built.

“Locating units is a major barrier. We need affordable housing in this province, and in this city, and in this country, actually,” Miia Suokonautio said, the executive director of the YWCA.

Short-term rentals like Airbnbs, have been criticized for taking away rental stock from an already limited housing market.

The province hasn’t put any short-term regulations in place, although more is expected at some point this year.

Roberts says short-term rental regulations can’t come soon enough.

“Effective short-term rental regulation and rent control, would have an immediate impact and then we need to be working with those non-profit organizations to figure out ways that we can add to the social market housing stock,” she said.

Story continues below advertisement

Porter says work is being done to repair existing housing stock and increase the vacancy rates through new construction, although nothing beyond the 39 new units has been announced at this time.